Vet Group Wants More Support From Islands’ Businesses

That was the message from Chairman Bill Wilson at last night’s AGM, where members heard the Duchy of Cornwall, Isles of Scilly Wildlife Trust and Tresco Estate have signed up for their £500 commercial membership but other significant Scilly companies have turned down their requests for help.

Just £3,000 is still required to pay off the £190,000 cost of the purpose-built surgery and accommodation and Bill hopes the debt will be cleared by June.

The annual membership fees of the 170 supporters will bring in £1,700 and the annual dog show brings in around £1,000. Donations alone accounted for just over £16,000 last year, according to outgoing treasurer Sharon Vaughan.

Mainland-based animal charities have been supportive too. The RSPCA has given £10,000 in grants and the Cats Protection League is funding the neutering of all cats, whether feral or domesticated.

Once the building costs have been paid off, the group will scale back activities and aim to raise around £5,000 a year to meet the surgery costs, replace equipment and pay the travel costs of vet Heike Dorn’s locum.